The HRC would like to extend its warmest congratulations to The University of Auckland Professor Ed Mitchell who has received the Howard Williams Medal from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for his outstanding contributions to paediatrics and child health.
Professor Mitchell played a leading role in the seiminal New Zealand cot death study. The study identified that babies were at increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if they were put to sleep on their front, if they were not breast-fed, and if their mothers' smoked.
"It is a fantastic honour to be recognised by my peers and a tribute to the wonderful group of people I have had the privilege of working with over the years," Professor Mitchell said.
"We shouldn’t lose sight of the many families who have lost their precious children, and yet have shared their experiences with us, so that we can learn to help future children. I sincerely thank them."
Professor Mitchell is currently the first-named investigator on an HRC-funded nationwide case control study on sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), another name for SIDS. The aim of the study is to identify the risk factors for SUDI, especially in Maori. It is specifically looking at modifiable risk factors, particularly those relating to bed sharing and what makes bed sharing safer or more dangerous. Professor Mitchell is also involved in several other HRC-funded research projects related to child health.